The Group One Macro Meats Temlee is one of three big Group One races to be run at The Meadows on Saturday night. The invitational race features eight classy runners and is a very even field. The Temlee is Race 8 on the card and is scheduled to jump at 8:55pm.
The honour roll for this race features some big names including Paua to Burn, Slater, El Galo and High Earner. Trainers Kel Greenough and Jason Thompson, who both have runners in the 2014 Temlee field, have won this race before. In fact, Thompson has won this event three times and Greenough has won it twice.
A grand prize of $100,000 is up for grabs for the winner, with second place not missing out with $30,000 and third place winning $15,000.
Comments: Kel Greenough (Trainer) – “It'll be a bit hard to step him up to 525 metres on the circle in a week, after running 350 metres in a straight line. It's a very hard step up in a week, I probably would have liked a bit more time but you've got to take the races when they are on, if you get selected, you have a crack. It's not ideal, I'd probably have liked another two weeks to be honest, but I can't change the calendar.”
Comments: Trainer unavailable for comment. ARG opinion is – Recent Perth Cup finalist who was badly boxed. Better boxed here in the two and can show some early speed. Hasn't broken 30′ at The Meadows but isn't without a chance.
Comments: Mark Delbridge (Trainer) – “He's boxed alright. He has been missing the kick a little. We found a couple of problems with him. Hopefully those problems have now been sorted out and he begins better then what he has been. I expect Paw Licking to lead and I am hoping we are close enough to try and run him down.”
Comments: David Burnett (Trainer) – “It will be tough from box four. He is going to have to jump and be up close early. I'd like to think he can get to the rails but he will need to lead or he will be in trouble.”
Comments: Ken Virtue (Trainer) – “He is going to need a miracle. I think in his last few runs he has not been beginning as quick. In box five you have to close your eyes and hope for the best. It is an ordinary draw. Kiss Me Ketut begins like him and gets off a bit and some of the dogs on the outside begin a bit quicker then him. In saying that, I am pleased to be in the race. The dog is well.”
Comments: Paul Stuart (Trainer) – “He is probably not well drawn. He is a bit too far off the track. There's plenty of speed on the inside. He will need a lot of luck early and needs to be somewhere handy on the first turn. It will be hard to run any dogs down. He has had a good preparation for the race. I was wrapped with how he went on Saturday (at Cannington).”
Comments: Trainer unavailable for comment. ARG opinion is – A reliable beginner with a good record at the track and a decent record from box seven. More than capable.
Comments: Keith Hellmuth (Trainer) – “I think it will be hard. Hopefully he gets a clear run and gets around the turn. I prefer him boxed on the outside then in the middle. I scratched him last Thursday once I found out he was in this race. He's been running flat out so I thought it would be good to freshen him up.”
Comments: Handy bitch who performed well in the recent Paws of Thunder series at Wentworth Park. She hasn't won at The Meadows on two visits to the track so she will need some luck if she gains a start.
Comments: Group 1 Maturity winner at this track and has a flying personal best of 29.66. His recent form is a bit patchy so he may struggle against some of the others in the main field if he gets a go.
Best The Meadows Times
Best
Last
Sect. Best
Sect. Last
29.66
30.58 (01/02/14)
4.96
5.13
It is terribly hard to pick a clear winner in this race. The obvious leader is Paw Licking (1), who has an exceptional record from box one. The biggest thing against Paw Licking is his preparation. As his trainer Kel Greenough has pointed out, Paw Licking is coming off a series at Healesville and he believes this isn't the best preparation for a race conducted over 525 metres on the circle. The stronger dogs in the field will be looking to pounce if Paw Licking is found wanting in the closing stages.
Tomac Bale's (3) recent form hasn't been great, but he likes The Meadows and if he can get himself in a handy position early, he is an each way chance. If Zelemar Fever (2) can transfer her Cannington form across to The Meadows, she is in with a chance, but if she misses the start she may find it hard to put herself into the race. Kiss Me Ketut (4) and Banjo Boy (5) may bring each other undone. Kiss Me Ketut likes to shift wide and Banjo Boy likes the rail. They generally begin on terms so there may be trouble negotiating the turn.
Dyna Nalin (6) performed well at Cannington Saturday but he has to overcome an unfavourable box draw. He is very handy and has great field sense. He has not been unplaced at The Meadows and has been very consistent in the times and sectionals he has run at the track. Innocent Til (7) has the speed to overcome box seven and has good recent form at the track. He is in the market. Lastly, Peter Rocket (8) has been freshened for this race and it was needed based on his recent form. He will appreciate the break and has plenty of experience in group races, so he cannot be completely dismissed.
